The effect of a needle exchange program on numbers of discarded needles: A2-year follow-up

Objectives. This study estimates the quantity and geographic distribution o f discarded needles on the streets of Baltimore, Md during the 2 years afte r a needle exchange program opened. Methods. Thirty-two city blocks were randomly sampled. Counts were taken of the number of syringes, drug vials, and bottles before the needle exchange program opened and then at 6 periodic intervals for 2 years after the prog ram opened. Nonparametric and generalized estimating equation models were u sed to examine change over time. Results. Two years after the needle exchange program opened there was a sig nificant decline in the overall quantity of discarded needles relative to t hat of lug vials and bottles (backgound trash). The block mean of number of needles per 100 trash items was 2.42 before the program opened and 1.30 2 years later (mean within-block change=-0.028, P<.05). There was no differen ce in the number of discarded needles by distance from the program site. Conclusions. These data suggest that this needle exchange program did not i ncrease the number or distribution of discarded needles.